Sister Lafond

Sister Mary Joseph Lafond, a member of the West Central Province of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, died on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans. She was 96 years of age and served her vocation with the Daughters of Charity for 73 years.

Sister Mary Joseph was born Celeste Octavie Lafond on January 20, 1912, in Opelousas, Louisiana. She was the beloved daughter of Joseph Lafond and Marie Louise Titard. Both parents preceded her in death, as did her twin brother L. Didier and her brother, Achille. She is survived by her sisters, Juliette Kaufman and Aline Lafond of Opelousas and a nephew, Dr. Henry J. Kauffman, III of Baton Rouge and also nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. Sister Mary Joseph graduated from Opelousas High School, the College of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau and Loyola University. She was a public school teacher for 2 years in St. Mary Parish. After entering the Daughters of Charity, Sister Mary Joseph taught Elementary students in New Orleans, LA; Long Beach, MS; Perryville, MO; St. Louis, MO; Dallas, TX; Keokuk IA; West Plains, MO and Donaldsonville, LA. Before entering Our Lady of Wisdom in 2003, she served as a volunteer for several years in Carville, LA.

The funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel. The Interment was in St. Vincent 2 Cemetery, Soniat Street, New Orleans.

Pallbearers were Dr. Henry Kaufman, III; Dr. Henry Kaufman, IV; William H.L. Kaufman, Peter Graffagnino, Jack E. Saux and Thomas L. Stagg.

Masses or donations to a favorite charity would be preferred.

Arrangements were by Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home in New Orleans.
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